The Friarage Hospital is in the centre of Northallerton, a town situated in the vale of York amongst gently rolling landscape and tree lined country lanes. The hospital has long been a training centre for student nurses and there has been a military presence since WWII. Using these themes as inspiration, the mural was designed to be bordered at the bottom by an illustration of a typical country lane between two full size trees. Stepping out along the lane, from left to right are stylised illustrations of staff members depicted through the ages in the uniforms of both military and civilian hospital staff.

Spanning the full width and height of the hospital's new 'hub' this long wall was reserved specifically to house the mural at the early stages of planning. The 'hub', at the centre of the hospital, is a large space with settees and armchairs to provide a comfortable and relaxing waiting area. The dramatic scale and eyecatching visuals are matched with detailed written historical timelines, providing a thorough and meaningful depiction of the Friarage's history to enlighten staff, patients and visitors.

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"It is breathtaking when you go round the corner and get a glimpse and then see the whole wall. It was the Nurses League reunion last Saturday, 55 attended and all went in groups to see the mural. They were overwhelmed with the old photos and text. A true trip down memory lane.

"Also a retired local GP rang to say he and his wife had been to see it and spent over an hour and had been on their hands and knees to look at the detail lower down. Absolutely thrilled with it! A few local people have asked how long it will be up for as they must see it before it's taken down!"

Eva Shuttleworth, ex Friarage Sister and co-researcher

"The receipt of your e-mail, attaching an image of The Friarage Mural was one of the nicest surprises we have had in a long while. We both thought the mural is excellently and sensitively done, bringing together the whole history of The Friarage in a very accessible, well designed and enjoyable way. For someone like my wife, to whom the hospital was an important part of her life and career, it gave very great satisfaction.

So this e-mail is to say thank you very much, for your generosity, and even more for meeting my wife's desired 'specification' far beyond what she had hoped for. You really have given her a great deal of pleasure."

John & Margaret Williams